The Power Formula
The Power Formula
The Power Formula
Concept:
∫ 𝑓 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 = 𝐹 𝑥 + 𝐶
Properties of the Indefinite Integral
1) ∫ 𝑑𝑢 = 𝑢 + 𝐶
2) ∫ 𝑐𝑑𝑢 = 𝑐 ∫ 𝑑𝑢 + 𝐶 ( c is constant)
3) ∫ 𝑑𝑢 + 𝑑𝑣 + … . . +𝑑𝑧 = ∫ 𝑑𝑢 + ∫ 𝑑𝑣 + ⋯ … + ∫ 𝑑𝑧
𝑛 𝑢𝑛+1
∫ 𝑢 𝑑𝑢 = + C; 𝑛 ≠ −1
𝑛+1
𝑦𝑑𝑦
7) ∫ = ∫(𝑎2 − 𝑦 2 )−1/2 ydy
𝑎2 −𝑦 2
This illustration will orient students regarding recognition of the
variable of integration and full understanding of the phrase “total
differential” as a requirement of every formula. Here the variable of
integration must be y and a is treated as constant. Hence, u = 𝑎2 − 𝑦 2
and du = -2ydy. Notice that y dy is already in the integrand. It only
need -2 to be exact. Therefore,
1
1 1 (𝑎2 −𝑦 2 )1/2
∫ (𝑎2 − 𝑦 2 )−1/2 ydy =- ∫ 𝑎2 − 𝑦 2 −2 (−2y)dy = (- ) +C
2 2 1/2
=- 𝑎2 − 𝑦 2 + C
8) ∫(𝑥 6 − 7𝑥)4 𝑑𝑥:
In this illustration we notice that the direct use of power formula
is not possible since putting the base, u = 𝑥 6 − 7𝑥 yield a total
differential of (6𝑥 5 − 7)dx. Note that a variable is involved, hence, can
not be inserted in the integrand in order to meet the requirement of
powers. What must be done? The only way to manage it is by the use
of basic principles in algebra particularly the law of exponents
∫(𝑥 6 − 7𝑥)4 𝑑𝑥 = ∫[𝑥 𝑥 5 − 7 ]4 𝑑𝑥 = ∫ 𝑥 4 (𝑥 5 − 7)4 𝑑𝑥.
Put u = 𝑥 5 − 7 and n = 4. The exact derivative needed is 5𝑥 4 dx.
1
Therefore, ∫(𝑥 6 − 7𝑥)4 𝑑𝑥 = 1/5 ∫(𝑥 5 − 7)4 (5𝑥 4 𝑑𝑥)= (𝑥 5 − 7)5 +C
25
The other option is by expanding the polynomial, however, it is
not encouraged due to its poor quality.
9) ∫ 𝑠𝑖𝑛3 𝑥𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥 𝑑𝑥
The power formula is not limited only to algebraic functions. It
can also be used on transcendental functions. In this exercise, put the
base, u = sin x and n =3. The exact derivative required is cos x dx which
1
is in the integrand. Therefore, ∫ 𝑠𝑖𝑛3 𝑥𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥 𝑑𝑥 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛4 x + C
4
10) ∫𝑐𝑜𝑡𝛼 𝑐𝑠𝑐 2 𝛼𝑑𝛼 (In two ways) :
This can be done in two ways. First, put u = 𝑐𝑜𝑡𝛼 and n = 1. The
exact derivative is −𝑐𝑠𝑐 2 𝛼𝑑𝛼. Hence,
1
∫𝑐𝑜𝑡𝛼 𝑐𝑠𝑐 2 𝛼𝑑𝛼 = -∫𝑐𝑜𝑡𝛼 (−𝑐𝑠𝑐 2 𝛼)𝑑𝛼 = - 𝑐𝑜𝑡 2 𝛼 + C
2
Second, By factoring . ∫𝑐𝑜𝑡𝛼 𝑐𝑠𝑐 2 𝛼𝑑𝛼 =∫csc 𝛼 . 𝑐𝑠𝑐𝛼𝑐𝑜𝑡𝛼𝑑𝛼.
Here, put u = 𝑐𝑠𝑐𝛼 and n = 1. The exact derivative, du =
1
− 𝑐𝑠𝑐𝛼𝑐𝑜𝑡𝛼𝑑𝛼. Simplification yield: - 𝑐𝑠𝑐 2 𝛼 + C
2
𝑑𝛽
11) ∫
𝛽𝑙𝑛4 𝛽
The original integral do not conform to the standard format of
powers , that is, the base u is unclear. But by algebra, it can be written
𝑑𝛽 −4 𝑑𝛽
equivalent to: ∫ 4 = ∫ 𝑙𝑛 𝛽 ( ). Here, the base, u = ln𝛽 and
𝛽𝑙𝑛 𝛽 𝛽
𝑑𝛽
n = -4. The exact derivative, du = . Therefore,
𝛽
−4 𝑑𝛽 1
∫ 𝑙𝑛 𝛽 ( 𝛽 ) = - 𝑙𝑛−3 𝛽+C
3
𝑒 4𝑣 𝑑𝑣
12) =∫(1 + 𝑒 4𝑣 )−2 𝑒 4𝑣 𝑑𝑣. Put u = 1+𝑒 4𝑣 and n = -2. the
∫ (1+𝑒 4𝑣 )2
exact derivative, du = 4𝑒 4𝑣 𝑑𝑣. Inserting the needed constant and
4𝑣 −2 4𝑣 −1
simplifying, ∫(1 + 𝑒 ) 𝑒 𝑑v = 4𝑣 + C
4(1+𝑒 )
13. ∫(3𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜃)−1/2 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 𝑑𝜃 . The simple procedure in
solving this exercise is by putting u = 3𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜃 and n = -1/2.
The total differential needed is 6𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃𝑑𝜃 − 2𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 −𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 𝑑𝜃 or a
total of 8𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃𝑑𝜃. The exact derivative needs only 8. Therefore,
∫(3𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜃)−1/2 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 𝑑𝜃=
1 1
8
∫(3𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜃)−1/2 [8𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃]𝑑𝜃 = 3𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜃 + C.
4
cosh 3𝑧 1
∫ (1+2𝑠𝑖𝑛ℎ3𝑧)5 𝑑𝑧 = ∫(1 + 2𝑠𝑖𝑛ℎ3𝑧)−5 (6𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎ3𝑧 𝑑𝑧)
6
1 (1+2𝑠𝑖𝑛ℎ3𝑧)−4 1
= [ ] = - (1 + 2𝑠𝑖𝑛ℎ3𝑧)−4 + C
6 −4 24
Illustrations Continued
(𝑥+1)3/2
15) ∫ 𝑥 7/2 𝑑𝑥.
This exercise demonstrates the greatest value of ALGEBRA in
dealing with integration. In fact this is the biggest challenge everyone
must face in the study of calculus.
Remember always that for an elementary formula to apply, its
standard form must be adhered to. The given exercise do not conform
immediately to powers, hence, valid algebraic manipulation is needed.
(𝑥+1)3/2 (𝑥+1)3/2 𝑑𝑥 𝑥+1 3/2 −2 1
∫ 𝑥 7/2 𝑑𝑥 = ∫ 𝑥 3/2 (𝑥 2) = ∫( ) 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 = ∫(1 + )3/2 𝑥 −2 𝑑𝑥.
𝑥 𝑥
1
Put u = 1 + and n = 3/2. The exact derivative, du = - 𝑥 −2 𝑑𝑥.
The
𝑥
exact derivative lacks -1 . Simplifying yield the integral function as
2 1 5/2
- (1 + ) + C. Note: The Law of exponents in algebra is important.
5 𝑥
Summary